192: Chapter 192 Successful Return Trip and Rest Period

The spirit boat glided silently over the sea surface, like a phantom merging with the water mist.

Lin Cangchen pushed the Concealment Formation to its limit, while his Divine Sense spread out like a large net; any movement within three hundred zhang could not escape his perception.

Having had the experience of encountering a human traitor before, he was even more cautious than he had been on the way here.

"Thirty li to the front left, there is a group of Yao Beasts."

Clan Leader suddenly spoke.

The Divine Sense range of a Middle Stage Foundation Establishment was wider than Lin Cangchen's, allowing for early warning.

Lin Cangchen immediately adjusted the direction, and the spirit boat drew a gentle arc, bypassing that sea area.

Looking down from high altitude, one could vaguely see dozens of shadows swimming under the sea surface—it was a school of Iron-Back Fish; although they were only first-rank, it would be troublesome if their numbers were large.

"The effect of our Concealment Formation is truly good."

He couldn't help but sigh with emotion, "A second-rank mid-grade Formation is simply like a fish in water in the sea."

"It is because you improved it well."

Clan Leader rarely complimented him, "The original 'Sea Mist Concealment Array' was not this flexible."

Lin Cangchen chuckled and continued to focus on the controls.

For the rest of the journey, the two worked with tacit understanding.

The Clan Leader was responsible for wide-range reconnaissance, discovering Yao Beast groups or abnormal spiritual energy fluctuations in advance; Lin Cangchen was responsible for fine control, adjusting the course and speed at any time to avoid all potential dangers.

They encountered three more waves of Yao Beasts along the way, the strongest of which was led by two second-rank mid-grade sea beasts.

But the spirit boat always kept more than five li away, using the sea mist and water vapor as cover to bypass them silently.

"If all Cultivators had this ability, travel on the sea would be much safer."

Lin Cangchen looked at the unaware Yao Beasts in the distance and muttered softly.

"There are not many people whose attainments in Formations reach the second rank, and even fewer who can improve Formations like you."

Clan Leader was realistic, "This Formation is your unique advantage, don't leak it easily."

"I understand, I understand, make a fortune in silence."

After flying for most of the day, the outline of Qianliu City finally appeared on the skyline.

The towering city walls, the spirit boats at the Suspended Air Port, and the giant protective Formation covering the entire city shimmered with a faint golden light in the sunset.

"Finally arrived."

Lin Cangchen breathed a sigh of relief.

The two did not fly directly back to No. 3 Courtyard, Qingyun Alley, but instead headed to the City Lord's Mansion—this was the rule; Cultivators returning from executing tasks needed to report.

The Suspended Air Port was still busy, with an endless stream of spirit boats entering and leaving.

Lin Cangchen controlled the spirit boat to land in the designated area, put away the Formation, and the two walked to the City Lord's Mansion's Affairs Hall.

People were coming and going in the hall, and many Cultivators were still carrying injuries, obviously having just returned from various battlefields or tasks.

The air was filled with the mixed scent of Medicinal Pills and blood.

"Fellow Daoist Lin? You have returned!"

A familiar voice came, and Zheng Hai walked over quickly from one side.

He looked to be in good condition, only with fatigue between his brows.

"Fellow Daoist Zheng."

Clan Leader cupped his hands, "Did you also just return?"

"A day earlier than you."

Zheng Hai lowered his voice, "I rented a small spirit boat from Golden Rainbow Island and brought back seven people who were willing to leave together. We encountered two waves of Yao Beast attacks on the way, lost one, and three were injured."

Lin Cangchen's heart tightened: "What about the others?"

"There are six people left on Golden Rainbow Island waiting for a ship, and those who left on their own..."

Zheng Hai paused, his voice even lower, "Besides you, two others chose to return alone. Currently, only one has returned, with quite heavy injuries. The other... there is still no news."

The atmosphere was somewhat heavy.

Nine Foundation Establishment Cultivators and dozens of Qi Refining assistants went.

Now, less than half have returned safely to Qianliu City.

"The sea is dangerous."

Zheng Hai sighed, "However, it is truly a skill that you were able to return safely. How did you come back?"

"Good luck, we didn't encounter large-scale Yao Beast groups on the way."

Clan Leader said vaguely, not mentioning the spirit boat Formation.

Zheng Hai didn't ask much; who in the cultivation world didn't have some life-saving means?

He nodded: "Go and report, I will testify for you."

The reporting process was very simple: register names, task numbers, return time, and then have Zheng Hai, the leading deacon, sign and confirm.

The Cultivator in charge of registration was an Early Stage Foundation Establishment, handling things by the book, but a flash of surprise crossed his eyes when he saw that Clan Leader and Lin Cangchen were unscathed.

"The two Fellow Daoists have impressive strength."

The Cultivator said casually, "Returning alone from Golden Rainbow Island without a single scratch is rare."

"Just a fluke."

Clan Leader responded indifferently.

After registration, the Cultivator handed over two tokens: "According to the rules of the City Lord's Mansion, Foundation Establishment Cultivators returning from frontline tasks have a ten-day rest period."

"Within these ten days, you will not be forcibly conscripted."

"After the rest period ends, if the frontline war needs it, you may be conscripted."

"Keep the tokens well; you can be exempted from mandatory tasks within ten days with this."

"Many thanks."

The two took the tokens.

Zheng Hai sent them to the door of the Affairs Hall and reminded: "Rest well during these ten days and conserve your energy."

"I heard that the war on the front line is tight; the Golden Core True Persons have already fought three battles, and the outcome is undecided."

"After ten days, those of us Foundation Establishment Cultivators will likely have to take turns stationed there."

"Fellow Daoist Zheng also has to go?"

"I am a deacon of the City Lord's Mansion, so I definitely have to go."

Zheng Hai smiled bitterly, "But it should be a rotation, so you won't have to stay on the front line all the time."

"You just reached Foundation Establishment; if you are conscripted, it is highly likely that you will be arranged in the reserve team or for patrol tasks, and you won't go directly to the front line—of course, this is just a convention, it depends on the situation specifically."

"Understood, many thanks for the reminder, Fellow Daoist Zheng."

"Why so polite? We have been through thick and thin together."

Zheng Hai waved his hand, "I'll go handle some chores first, and we'll gather again when we have time."

Bidding farewell to Zheng Hai, Lin Cangchen and the Clan Leader walked out of the City Lord's Mansion.

The sunset had already slanted westward, dyeing the street a warm gold.

"Ten-day rest period..."

Lin Cangchen stroked the token, "That works out just right."

"I can familiarize myself with the new Spiritual Artifact and study the optimization of the bloodline network."

"I also need to consolidate my cultivation."

Clan Leader said, "The effect of the Amber True Essence Dew has not been fully digested yet."

The two walked along the street towards No. 3 Courtyard, Qingyun Alley.

The atmosphere in Qianliu City was more tense than usual, Cultivators on the street were in a hurry, and the prices of healing Medicinal Pills and defensive Talismans in shops had risen significantly.

But some shops were also thriving—such as Artifact Refining shops and Formation shops, where many Cultivators were queuing to reinforce Magical Artifacts and purchase Formation Plates.

"It seems everyone is preparing for possible conscription."

Lin Cangchen observed the street scene.

"Normal. The Yao Race is powerful; no one dares to take it lightly."

Returning to No. 3 Courtyard, Qingyun Alley, the courtyard gate was tightly closed, and the Formation was operating normally.

Lin Cangchen cast a Spell, the Formation separated a doorway, the two flashed in, and the courtyard gate closed immediately.

"Finally, I can have a good rest."

Lin Cangchen stretched and sat down on a stone stool, "Although this trip was thrilling, the harvest was not small."

The Clan Leader went to the quiet room in the east wing to regulate his breathing, while Lin Cangchen returned to his room, closed the door, and then submerged his consciousness into the System space.

On the way back from Golden Rainbow Island this time, plus the cards obtained during the sea battle and the Immortal Cave exploration before, the number was quite large.

He roughly counted, and there were actually more than forty.

Most were standard cards: 【faint spiritual energy card】 × 12, 【low-grade spirit stone card】 × 8 (totaling more than six hundred), 【low-grade material card】 × 6 (mostly Yao Beast bones and scales), 【low-grade Talisman card】 × 4.

There were fewer medium-grade cards: 【spiritual root aptitude fragment card】 × 2, 【trace mental power card】 × 1, 【Water-Attribute Spell Mastery Enhancement Card (trace)】 × 3.

There were two special cards most worthy of attention:

The first was 【Formation Insight Fragment (Water Attribute)】, which could be used to obtain some fragmented insights about water-attribute Formations.

The second was the most special: 【Culinary Experience (Seafood Specialty)】.

"...What the hell is this?"

Lin Cangchen's mouth twitched.

Card description: Memory fragments from a Qi Refining Cultivator who loved cooking.

After using it, one can master the cooking methods of thirty-seven seafood dishes, including Steamed Blue-Scaled Fish, Charcoal-Grilled Iron-Back Shrimp, Spirit Algae Soup, etc.

Lin Cangchen didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

This was probably from one of the Cultivators killed before who was a cooking enthusiast, right?

However, thinking about it, in a place like the Shattered Star Sea, knowing how to cook seafood didn't seem entirely useless?

At least it could satisfy one's appetite...

He shook his head, put this card aside for the time being, and used the two 【spiritual root aptitude fragment card】s first.

A familiar warm current poured into his Dantian, and the light of the five-colored Spiritual Root solidified a bit more.

Although it was still far from a qualitative change, accumulation over time was progress after all.

Next was the 【Formation Insight Fragment】.

A large amount of knowledge fragments about water-attribute Formations flooded into his brain—how to use water vapor to enhance concealment effects, how to set up temporary Confinement Formations at sea, how to synchronize the Formation with the waves to reduce spiritual energy consumption...

"Good stuff!"

Lin Cangchen's eyes lit up.

Although these fragmented pieces of knowledge were not systematic, they were of great benefit to him for improving existing Formations and creating new ones.

Finally, he looked at the three 【Water-Attribute Spell Mastery Enhancement Card】s and used them all at once.

His control over water-attribute Spiritual Qi improved again.

Lin Cangchen reached out and grasped the air, and the water vapor in the air quickly condensed, forming a water ball that constantly changed shape in his palm.

With a thought, the water ball turned into a fine stream, weaving between his fingers like a spirit snake.

"The control has improved by at least twenty percent."

He nodded with satisfaction, "Combined with the water-attribute affinity brought by the Flood Dragon Bloodline, the power of casting water-attribute Spells now should be much stronger than Cultivators of the same rank."

After counting, Lin Cangchen exited the System space.

It was dark outside the window, and the stars were just appearing.

He walked into the courtyard, looked at the starry sky, and let out a long breath.

The ten-day rest period was neither long nor short.

It was time to plan carefully.